Pungsong Grand Bridge Connecting South, West, and North Pyeongtaek Expands to Full Operation

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The 630-meter-long Pungsong Grand Bridge, connecting south, west, and north Pyeongtaek, has been expanded and opened to traffic from two lanes to four lanes. This is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity among Pyeongtaek's southern, western, and northern districts and greatly contribute to improved traffic flow.

The city held a completion ceremony on the new bridge on the 20th to commemorate the opening. The ceremony was attended by approximately 150 people, including Mayor Jeong Jang-seon of Pyeongtaek, Yoo Seung-young, chairperson of the Pyeongtaek City Council, National Assembly Member Yoo Ui-dong, provincial and city council members, An Young-ho, director of the U.S. Forces Korea Base Relocation Project Team, and local residents. The event proceeded in order with progress reports, a commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony, and group photographs.

The Pungsong Grand Bridge expansion project is a national project undertaken as a resident benefit initiative in connection with the relocation of the U.S. Forces Korea base to Pyeongtaek. Of the total project cost of 33.7 billion won, the Ministry of Defense contributed 27 billion won in national funds and the city contributed 6.7 billion won. Construction began in May 2019 and was completed in October 2022, two years and five months later.

The city carefully considered local conditions in the design of the bridge structure and minimized the excavation range of the bridge piers to preserve the river environment. By ensuring structural stability to enable rapid tactical mobility for U.S. forces, the project is expected to contribute significantly to national security.

Additionally, bicycle bridges and connecting paths linking the bicycle road to the bridge have been installed, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to conveniently use the riverside bicycle road and directly connecting to nearby leisure facilities such as Naeri Culture Park and Oseong Nuri Square, enabling citizens to enjoy beautiful natural scenery.

Mayor Jeong Jang-seon stated, "The expansion of Pungsong Grand Bridge has improved accessibility between regions, which will help regional harmony and balanced development," and added, "I express gratitude to the U.S. Forces Korea Base Relocation Project Team for actively supporting the bridge expansion project funding, to the construction officials who led a safe construction site, and to the local residents who actively cooperated in the bridge expansion project."